ASHLAND, Ky. - Ashland will be hoppin' and boppin' again this holiday weekend as Summer Motion heats up and gets rolling Saturday.

Music, the annual parade, a car show, a road race, Central Park festival and more highlight the event that culminates with the July 4 fireworks.

The Summer Motion Independence Day Parade, sponsored by the Ashland Alliance, will take being at 5 p.m. Monday. The theme for this year's event is "Celebrating Freedom." The Patriotic Show begins at 9 p.m. on Ashland's riverfront and will honor "Women In The Armed Forces," followed by the fireworks show.

"With the parade leading right into the Patriotic Show and Fireworks, everyone can enjoy a great evening out in downtown Ashland," Summer Motion President Chuck Charles said.

A large contingent of Ashland Police officers will be present at entrances to the riverfront. Visitors with bags, large purses, backpacks and other large carry-all items will be subject to inspection before entering the riverfront area.

The entire event is alcohol-free.

Starting Saturday, the Central Park Festival will offer something for everyone.

Central Park Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday,

and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Part of the family-friendly entertainment in the park is a full slate of concerts on the bandstand.

Presented by the Iron City Antique Auto Club, the annual Summer Motion Cruise-In will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the park.

Classic automobiles will stretch throughout the main street in the park from 17th Street to Chuck Woolery Boulevard.

Registration takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the day of the event. The fee is $10.

The Central Park Craft Show will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Other activities throughout Saturday and Sunday include health screenings, health education and children's activities, a horseshoe tournament, children's games from 1 to 1:30 p.m., 3 to 3:30 p.m. both days, safety city, trampoline fun, rock climbing wall and miniature golf, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable rides, Highlands Museum science exhibits, a watermelon eating contest from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the Bluegrass Express train rides and more.

Also Saturday, the Summer Motion 10K run will celebrate another year. The competition attracts hundreds of runners. It begins at 8 a.m. The race begins and ends between 17th and 18th Streets on Central Avenue.

Race day registration and packet pickup takes place from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. at the Park Place building. The entry fee is $20.